Dearest Roger-
At times, I often get a bit carried away when the subject matter is close to my heart, and this one is.
If I may relay a true story....
As many here are aware, I spend countless hours working in my career field and spend every other waking moment promoting breast cancer awareness.
My team, the 3Day Dancers, and I spend countless hours supporting women in treatment, attending fundraisers, and walking great distances in breast cancer awareness events.
Many of us are survivors or co-survivors (a co-survivor is a first-degree relative of a breast cancer victim).
We recently we at a fundraiser outside a national discount chain store, when a man approached us. He was a stranger, unknown by anyone on the team. He felt it his "duty" to tell us that we were "wrong" for trying to raise funds for breast cancer research. He continued to relay how it is a "sign from God" that women stricken are "bad and evil" and this is their "punishment"....
He had several of our team members in tears (and another was ready to literally whack his head off).
They could not believe someone would do such a thing, let alone truly believe in what he had said.
What amazed them even more was my response (which as team captain, they graciously let me handle).
After he had completed his full discourse (and it was lengthy), in a very subdued voice, I said,
"Thank you for sharing your viewpoint with us today. Although we do not agree with you, we certainly celebrate your right to your beliefs and your right to profess them. Have a sensational Saturday"
and I walked away.
That was one of the hardest conversations I have ever had, for it took every ounce of control within me to deliver that message without venom. I was able to do so because I not only respect his right to his beliefs, but I have to respect myself and my ability to discern that something made this man feel this strongly about this issue.
To a survivor, his words were a knife through the heart. But, when all was said & done, I knew in my heart that I did him no harm, that the anger he holds in his heart was not strengthened by my response. And perhaps, just maybe, he went home and thought about what he had shared that day.
It takes that level of courage, that level of strength and the true belief that you must treat others as you want to be treated, instead of treating them as they have treated you, that will make this world a better place.
Thanks for letting me share that with you...
In strength, courage, hope and faith that the cure for breast cancer will be found,
Your friend always,
JeanMarie
